Lax Teaching Is a Teacher's Negligence

Kung Fu Panda world.

Master Shifu closed the Chat Group panel, then let out a long, slow sigh.

He did not reject the idea of making friends from all corners of other worlds, but the possibilities concerning the future still left him uneasy.

"Tai Lung."

Murmuring the name of the child who had been both disciple and son to him, Master Shifu realized that he could not let him go.

Wuxi Iron Finger Ring, ascension to the spirit realm...

If possible, Master Shifu still wanted to see Tai Lung live well in this world, punish evil and uphold justice, roam as a righteous hero, and become a grandmaster.

The Jade Palace had always lacked a senior disciple. This time, Master Shifu would not miss his chance.

"My friend, it seems you have run into some trouble. If you would like to talk to me, I would be more than happy to listen."

"Hm? Master Oogway?!"

Master Shifu's eyes widened abruptly. At some point, the door had swung open, and Master Oogway was slowly walking in. He politely closed the door behind him.

"I came to check on your injuries. I did not expect you to have recovered better than I imagined. That is very good."

Master Oogway's weathered gaze swept over Master Shifu's body. He smiled gently, clearly having guessed the truth.

"Oh, no, Master, I..."

Master Shifu immediately grew nervous and practically sprang to the floor, wanting to greet Master Oogway, only to remember that his leg seemed to have just been injured.

He tried to explain, but his words came out in a jumble. Master Shifu waved his hands wildly in the air, unable to calm down.

"All right, my friend. I only came to visit you. As for the little accident that happened to you, I understand that everyone has opportunities of their own."

Master Oogway winked at Master Shifu, then, like an old mischievous child, guided him back to the bed.

"Now, take a deep breath and calm yourself. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale..."

"Feeling better?"

"Much better, Master."

Following Master Oogway's words, Master Shifu quickly adjusted himself, even though he now understood an extraordinary number of skills and principles.

But when it came to his state of mind, Master Shifu still had a long road ahead of him.

"Then, would you like to talk with me? What are you thinking about right now? What troubles you?"

"I..."

Master Shifu murmured as he once again recalled Tai Lung as a child, remembered the Tai Lung of that time, and thought of what lay ahead.

"I want to go to the Valley of Peace, apologize to the residents there, compensate them for their losses, and then go see Tai Lung.

"Lax teaching is a teacher's negligence. It is not just Tai Lung's problem. I, as his master, am at fault as well."

"Mm, is that so?"

Master Oogway looked at Master Shifu. Seeing even his whiskers drooping and his face filled with solemnity, he nodded in satisfaction.

"Go, my friend. Do what you believe is right. Everyone makes mistakes, even I do. Mistakes are not frightening. As long as they can be corrected in time, they can become nourishment for oneself."

"The Jade Palace still needs you."

Night gradually fell. Master Oogway leaned on his staff and slowly departed, thoroughly satisfied.

Perhaps it was not too late for him to change. No one said the Dragon Warrior had to be young.

Master Shifu gazed at the night beyond the window and clenched his small fists.

Wait for me, Tai Lung.

The next day, Master Shifu descended the mountain early and arrived at the Valley of Peace town that Tai Lung had ravaged. Ruin lay everywhere.

Damaged houses, shattered stone walls, the scent of herbs permeating the air, shoulder poles, baskets, and other tools reduced to fragments scattered across the ground...

Master Shifu twitched his nose and faintly caught a trace of blood in the air.

These were the evil deeds Tai Lung had committed in his rage. They were the fault of both master and disciple.

"Master Shifu? Are you... are you all right?"

Master Shifu fell silent at the sight, but an animal resident soon approached. Upon seeing him, the resident instinctively asked the question.

"I heard what happened outside. Tai Lung suddenly went mad. Not only did he wreak havoc here, he even attacked the Jade Palace and injured you. Are you all right?"

The residents of the Valley of Peace thought highly of Master Shifu. The Jade Palace and Master Oogway's prestige over the centuries also played a part. With them here, this was the Valley of Peace, a place where everyone could live safely and peacefully.

Even though Tai Lung had caused such destruction and injured countless people, the villagers did not blame Master Shifu too much, especially after hearing that he had been injured as well.

"No, I'm fine. What could happen to me? I know kung fu. The people we should be worried about are all of you..."

Master Shifu felt terrible inside. This was all his fault, so he could not keep making mistakes.

"I came to apologize to all of you. Tai Lung is my disciple, yet I failed to teach him properly and allowed him to do such things. It is all my fault."

"Let me make it up to you. Anything will do. At the very least, let me restore this place to how it was."

Since this had been caused by someone from the Jade Palace, the Jade Palace naturally had to compensate them.

But Master Shifu felt that was not enough. He had to atone in person. Sometimes, one's attitude mattered more than material compensation.

Though the residents worried about Master Shifu's injuries and wanted to refuse, Master Shifu insisted and took the initiative to tell them that his injuries had already healed.

Hauling bricks, laying walls, chopping and transporting lumber, brewing medicine, treating the sick, caring for them personally...

Master Shifu worked in the town for half a month, until not a trace of damage remained and everyone had received compensation.

The only thing that gave Master Shifu any comfort was that Tai Lung had not gone that far in the end and had not taken a single life.

Otherwise, not only would Master Shifu be unable to forgive Tai Lung, but Master Oogway would not have merely imprisoned him.

Amid endless thanks, Master Shifu bid them farewell and solemnly told them one by one that he did not deserve their gratitude. This was merely the smallest attempt to make amends for what had already happened.

But the residents had their own sense of right and wrong. Master Shifu had practically grown up in the Jade Palace, and he had grown up alongside them as well.

After returning to the Jade Palace, Master Shifu washed himself clean, as though every distracting thought had been carried away with the grime by the flowing water. Then he went to find Master Oogway.

Master Oogway gave Master Shifu an approving glance and nodded gently.

"Are you going to see that child now?"

"I will not let him stray down the wrong path again."

"Then set off."

The place where Tai Lung was imprisoned lay amid a range of icy, snow-covered mountains. It was some distance from the Valley of Peace, though not too far. The guards were all specially recruited Rhino Guards, numbering in the thousands.

It was not only for the Jade Palace's sake, but also because of Tai Lung's level of danger. The strength of one leopard was enough to destroy an entire town. No amount of caution was excessive.

But when they saw Master Oogway and Master Shifu, all the Rhino Jailers immediately relaxed and quickly welcomed them inside.

What a joke. With Master Oogway here, no matter what Tai Lung did, he could never escape Five Finger Mountain.

"Would you like me to accompany you?"

"No, Master. I want to see Tai Lung myself."

"Good."